Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Who to Contact for Local Audition

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Expert: - 9/9/2009


Question
Hi! When responding to a casting call for an independent film, who should the résumé and headshot go to?

A recent posting on craigslist listed the email addresses of the Producer/Director, Associate Producer, and Assistant Producer, but did not indicate which of these people actors should contact. I emailed my information to the Producer/Director. I'd like to know if that was the best decision. If not, what can I do?

Answer
Hi Ann,

First a word of caution: be very careful of ads run online or in the backs of newspapers. While there may be legit ads out there, many are not what they appear and are either scams or tricks or worse. I have checked some out that are supposed to be for actual films, but while the film was real, it was just to get publicity and attention started to help the film. If you think about it, real films would use professional casting agents and go through agents who have proven talent that have professional experience. The only legit film stuff I have seen in the media has been in large local papers when they are doing open calls for background extras.

In any case, the ad should have had an email addy for the production for casting. -How else would people respond? If they gave one and you sent the headshot/resume, that's it. All you can do!
This is a hard part of acting...accepting the silent answer. They leave you wondering without knowing. That's how it works even for the pro's. We audition, we give it our best, then wait. If they call our agent and ask to see us again, yay! -If they don't, we move on and try again the next time. That's life as an actor!

Best,

Taylor

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Taylor Sheppard

Expertise

I can answer questions: on starting a career in acting, mistakes in acting, etiquette when dealing with industry contacts, finer points on how to act, and things to avoid in the field.

Experience

I have been a professional actor 21 years, with appearances in TV, Film and commercials. I have made good decisions and potentially damaging mistakes. I believe anyone who has a dream deserves to explore it, and I take their aspirations seriously. That being said, I do not pull punches. I try to be tactful, but I will not lie to someone, honesty is more effective. My last film role was in "Teeth" which was picked for Sundance in January 2007. It was sold to Lionsgate and Weinstein Co. for somewhere over 2.5 million. The role was "Mr. Griffith", a sex-ed teacher.

Organizations
Ciao Agency-Austin/Georgetown, Texas. (Formerly known as Donna Adams Agency. Matthew McConaughey was a good friend and fellow member. I also have belonged to agencies in three other Texas cities, but they have since closed.) TXMPA -Texas Motion Picture Alliance. Various other internet networking web rings as well as Actors Access. I was instrumental in advising actress Krista Allen on getting her career in acting started in Austin,Texas (we worked at the same Health Club in the early '90's).

Publications
Previously wrote on a now defunct website such as this one. I enjoyed helping new actors.

Education/Credentials
I have acted for 21 years. I studied under James Nelson Harrell as well as other talented actors at Southwest Texas State University. After college, I have taken classes with Julliard graduate Mona Lee, Bill Johnson, Van Brookes, Marco Perella and others in Austin Texas. I am constantly attending classes to maintain my edge and explore new directions. In addition to attending strictly acting classes, I have also taken business workshops with respected casting directors, such as Shari Rhodes ("Jaws","Close Encounters", "Raggedy Man".) Barbara Brinkley, Jo Edna Bolden and Donise Hardy, (Castingworks LA).

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